SURFERS and kayakers from around the world launched out on the Severn last Friday morning (March 22) in a bid to ride the only daylight ”five-star” Bore of 2019.

But it wasn’t just those on the river who got an eyeful of the action – as a pensioner on the bank was totally knocked off her feet and drenched by the natural phenomenon.

Amateur photographer Jill Roberts from Minsterworth got a bit too close to the action for comfort as she tried to get an unobstructed view away from the hundreds of spectators packing the banks at her home village.

But the Bore, which can reach speeds of up to 13mph, swept up along the bank, catching her completely unawares by knocking her over and drenching her.

Luckily she was unscathed and able to joke with those who helped her back to her feet.

Dozens of surfers and paddlers headed out on the Severn to experience the “beautiful wave” at Newnham-on-Severn, though some described the scenes as “carnage”.

The surge wave is caused by the tide funnelling up the Severn Estuary, which has the second highest tidal range in the world.

Heavy rain affected Severn water levels this time, which meant that those watching at Over Bridge near Gloucester saw only a trickle rather than a wave.